Describes in detail many of the plants at the Cape, especially flowering and variously scented ones.
Describes in detail many of the plants at the Cape, especially flowering and variously scented ones.
[Excised fragment only.] "I am greedy for facts.—"
Comments on letter received. Regrets replies about 'the Muriate of Chrome.'
Declines invitation to dine at Downing College because of influenza.
Is trying to expedite the shipping back to England of part of the zoological collection of Andrew Smith.
Announces F. W. Bessel's success in measuring stellar parallax.
Appears to be commenting on JH's availability for a position.
Asks correspondent if he would prefer the President’s signature alone or with those of other scientific men.
Is leaving England very shortly, so cannot meet to discuss the correspondent's Indian Survey. Provides advice on various metrological matters.
Seeks permission to make another visit to Addiscombe [Military College] to see again the model of St Helena. He needs to correct proportion of some geological sections in his Geology [see Volcanic islands, ch. 4].
Is glad addressee’s lectures are going well.
Will send two photometers and three-year supply of paper to [?]. One goes to J. C. Ross and one to F. Eardley Wilmot at Cape of Good Hope. Instructions for using photometers. Hopes [?] Robinson forwarded actinometers to Woolwich as JH directed. These should be checked at St. Helena. Instruction for using actinometers. Sent report to Humphrey Lloyd at B.A.A.S. Returns [?]'s Daguerre newspaper containing 'impudent notice about M. Pambour and his great Wheels.'
JH's experiments to find compounds suitable for photography. Accidental discovery of effect of 'nitrate of Silver.' Note of 22 Jan. from Francis Beaufort alerted JH to L. J. M. Daguerre's secret processes and W. H. F. Talbot's experiments.
Fourth observatory, at Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania], will be conducted by J. H. Kay, to be landed from one of vessels [Terror and Erebus] bound for Antarctica. This vessel will also carry observers and instruments for stations at St. Helena and Cape.
Mentions visit of 1 Feb. 1839 from W. H. Fox Talbot. Reports that JH has now 'accomp[lishe]d the whole problem [of photography].' Describes JH's recent results.
Asks JH if he has thought of compiling William Herschel's works.
A letter of reference for Syms Covington.
Departure of J. C. Ross for Antarctic expedition is approaching. Hopes that Admiralty will soon authorize R.S.L. to assist Ross in preparing instruments and coordinating global observations.
Note on diurnal changes in [magnetic] variation at St. Helena and on estimated cost (£950) of observatory at St. Helena.
JH is preparing to leave residence at Slough, and all notes on William Herschel's life are packed away. Refers [?] to published biographies, but adds some corrections to those.